Chip Seal
Application
During the chip seal application, liquid asphalt emulsion is sprayed onto the road’s surface, which is then covered with fine aggregate. Rollers follow to embed the crushed aggregate into the emulsion and sweepers then remove remaining loose aggregate.
After the Chip Seal cures a Fog Seal is typically applied. This application helps to significantly reduce tire noise, eliminate dust, and bind the remaining aggregate into a black, hard-wearing surface.
Where and When Applied
Chip seal is applied to roads with asphalt pavement surfaces throughout their life cycle:
- Chip seal is applied one to three years after the completion of a reconstruction or resurfacing improvement project to preserve the investment and extend the life of the road
- Chip seal is applied to roads showing signs of deterioration. The road first undergoes the appropriate maintenance treatment (Spot mill & fill, crack seal, etc.) to restore the integrity of the road. Chip seal is then applied to protect the road’s surface and prolong the road’s service life.
- Shields the road from damaging effects of sun and water
- Prolongs the service life of a road by at least 5 to 7 years
- Increases the “friction factor” of the road’s surface, helping to reduce the number of wet and snow-related vehicle accidents
- Is cost-effective, allowing KCRC to treat two-to-three times as many roads when compared to applying the next lowest-cost surface treatment